Photo #215 Let's Get Kickin'!!!!

Jackson has been involved in our Youth Center's Smart Start Soccer program these past couple weeks.  I finally remembered my camera!  When he is able to focus, he does a fantastic job.  He is learning to dribble, kick, and stop the ball with his feet.  I think the biggest challenge is trying to keeps his hands off the ball (although he is also learning to throw the ball the correct way, too).  Since the first soccer session was full, Jackson got put on a waiting list and we were able to have a class with only two kids instead of fourteen!!!  That is a blessing since both kids are 3 years old and don't have the best attention span.  Even Molly was able to get in on some of the action!

Playing Keep-Away from Jackson.

Jackson is a great helper.  He loves to set up the cones.

Get ready, boys!  We're headed to the races!

Jackson REALLY doesn't like it when announcements are made over the loud speaker.  He needed a little pep talk.

They got to take turns saying "Ready.  Set. GO!!!"

Photo #214 Cuddly Kiddos

Since the outside temperature has finally decided to go down....a lot... we had to get some new pajamas for the kids.  They each got some adorable flannel pjs.  This evening, Jackson asked if they could have some popcorn and watch a show before bed and we approved.  Here they are enjoying their own mini movie night.  Jackson has Cars pajamas and Molly has Tinkerbell!!!

Photo #213 Pumpkins, Ropes, and Slides! Oh, My!!!

Yesterday, we ventured back to the Mesilla Valley Maze.  We didn't actually go through the maze since it is gigantic and you need a GPS to get through it (figured it would be a bit much for the kids).  But there were MORE than enough other things to keep us and the kids occupied.

Yes, Molly is wearing a chicken hat.  Last time we were here, I forgot to bring hats for them and we were worried their little heads would  get burned.  This is the delightful hat that Molly picked out.  She loves it and I love seeing her wear it.

With this being our second time here (I forget the memory card for my camera the first time), Jackson remembered the giant slides and wanted to rush right to them!  This was also the first time we were able to get Molly to go down them.

After going, what felt like, a million times down the slide, it was time for a little break.  This meant, time for cotton candy!!!  

Then it was time for our hayride to the pumpkin patch.  Molly wanted to hold Daddy's hand during the ride.

We found our perfect pumpkin!!!

I'm pretty sure it weighs more than Molly!!!

Since the kids both got pumpkins last time were were here, we let them pick a couple "little pumpkins" this time around.

Next up, making your own rope!!!  The kids got to pick three colors to make their own rope!

It was actually the perfect length to be a jump rope for them!

Time to take our treasures to the van and head home!

 
It was a fantastic day!!!  I wish places like this could be open all year long.  We are definitely looking forward to coming back next year.

Photo #212 Finally Fall!!!

A couple weekends ago, we all went to a farm in Las Cruses to have some fun with slides, a hayride, picking pumpkins, and even panning for gems.  The amazing thing is....it was still HOT!  We even had to buy hats for the kids because we were worried about their little heads getting sun burned.

Today, I believe Autumn has FINALLY arrived.  It is overcast today, so that helps, but it is currently a delightful 65 degrees outside (it was in the 80's all last week)!  So, the kids and I headed to Walmart to pick up some stickers to decorate their pumpkins.  This morning, we sat on our front walk way, enjoyed the beautiful weather, and they decorated their pumpkins!  Here are some photos from this mornings fun.

Jackson's scarecrows are friends.  :)  By the end, he had five of them holding hands.

Molly put so many stickers on her pumpkin that she had stickers on top of stickers!  This was the first year she could decorate all by herself. :)

This was the best photo I could get of the two of them with their pumpkins.  Shortly after this was taken, Molly bonked her head on the bricks behind her and she was done getting her picture taken.

Molly sat here, took her shoe off, threw it, and said "Jack-Jack, you need go get my shoe."  Being the prince charming that he is, he complied and even put it on her foot for her.

What a looker!!!

For more photos of our pumpkin fun, visit: www.picasaweb.google.com/themcginthys.

Photo #211 San Antonio or Bust!!!

This past weekend, I took the kids and met up with my parents in San Antonio.  We didn't get a lot of time together, but we made the most of what time we did have.
On Sunday, we went downtown to the riverwalk.  It was beautiful and we greatly enjoyed taking a barge tour. They don't actually call them boats.  The river was must more expansive than I expected and I was very glad we decided to do the tour first.  There is no way we would be able to walk the entire thing.
This past weekend, they also had a sort of craft fair going on.  We were told it only happens over holiday weekends.  I was happy about this because one of the stands was selling tutus with matching butterfly wings. :)  Needless to say, I let Molly pick out a set and proceeded to let her spend the rest of our riverwalk time with her butterfly wings on.  She was so adorable that one of the barge tour guides even stopped his barge just so everyone could admire Molly (I, unfortunately, didn't notice this and was only told about it later in the day).  :)
The next day we headed back into the city to see the Alamo and go to the Children's Museum.  Fun was had by all!!!
Here are a few photos from our trip.  You can see more at: www.picasaweb.google.com/themcginthys.